A free standing paper towel dispensing apparatus (10) including a free standing support unit (11) having a generally rectangular base member (20) provided with a rectangular shaped central recess (21) which has a centrally disposed elongated support post element (23) that is dimensioned to be received in the cardboard tube (102) core of the roll of paper towels. A decorative cover unit (12) is dimensioned to receive a roll of paper towels (100) and includes an elongated dispensing container member (30) having an elongated dispensing slot (37), a closed upper end (31) and a lower end (32) provided with a stiffening block element (34) and a central aperture (33') dimensioned to receive the support post element (23). The stiffening block element (34) prevents the movement of the lower end (32) of the dispensing container member (30) relative to the recess (21) in the base member (20), as well as retards the rotational movement of the roll of paper towels (100) within the dispensing container member (30).